Title: Tadaima (I'm home)
Category: Naruto: Shippuuden
Rating: G/K
Genres: Family fluff.
Warnings: Slight spoiler for the Shippuuden series.
Prompt: Home

DHC: A drabble I wrote when I was inspired by the word home and what I thought it would mean to various characters I sorted through while trying to decide what series to write for. Then, Naruto came to mind and I had to write it. For the other prompts from my long list, they can be viewed on my singular fic, Stolen Moments, a FFXII fic, Shadows and Crowns, a KH drabble dump, and Life and Streams, a FFVII drabble dump. I've got a ton more prompts to do, too... -groans, bangs head-

Home.

He was home.

Staring at the large gates reaching up, both welcoming and warding to him. His own feelings were a mix along those lines. Anticipation, excitement. But foreboding and bringing small, fearful chills to dance lightly along his skin.

Bright blue eyes stared for a long time at the gates from quite a yards away, chewing on his lip in silent contemplation. His cheeks twitched with each movement, making the thin markings along them move, looking as if they were real whiskers.

Slowly, a larger hand found its way to rest on his shoulder. "We don't have to return yet, Naruto..." The voice reminded softly. "If you're not ready..." Naruto's eyes lifted slowly, upwards as he inclined his head and tilted it to the side enough to catch sight of the wild white and red that hid a face he respected.

"No, ero-sennin," He answered slowly, lips curling up into a slow grin, a truer, and even brighter version of his previous fox-grins at the fond nickname. "It's time. I'm not going to run any longer. If I'm going to become Hokage, I have to face my fears and embrace it." His eyes closed, a soft, whistful look on his face before it turned serene. "The wind tells me it's a time for change. I'm going to do everything I can to protect Konoha, for it is my home."

The man beside him regarded his statement seriously, before a smile of his own came to his features and he moved his hand to push at his student. "Then let's get a move on, kid. You're not going to get anywhere just standing there, flapping your lips." He teased, earning a scowl from the other, but it was good natured and the two continued.

--

There was a knock on the large doors and a blond woman, who looked quite weary, ragged, their eyes held much stress in them. Though their apperance was young, their eyes were clearly older. They had a cup of sake in their hand when the knock came and they slowly set the cup away and sighed heavily.

"Come in,"

The door slowly opened and a figure stepped in, blond hair, blue-eyed, and a foxy-grin. "Ne, baa-chan, tadaima."

There was hardly a heartbeat in between as the figure was scooped into a large, crushing embrace by the woman who held wide eyes, filled with adoration and love, the slightest hints of tears becoming known in the corners of their eyes.

"Welcome home, Naruto-kun." She said quietly in his ear.

The blond smiled wider, returning the gesture as his eyes fell shut as he took in the other's affection, returning it tenfold.

"Yeah... I'm home."

DHC: I hope you all enjoyed it! This was my take at Naruto's return home. Review and tell me if it's good, please? I do accept flames.